1-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline and 3,4-dihydro-β-carboline and analogs as antitumor agents

Abstract

A composition includes a substituted dihydro- or tetrahydro-beta-carboline of formula (II) or (III), wherein the aromatic ring of the carboline may include one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy, benzyloxy, C1-6 acyloxy, amino, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 dialkylamino, halogen, and carboxy, and the C-1 position of the carboline may include a substitutent selected from the group consisting of a carbocyclic group and a heterocyclic group. The composition may include a salt or a prodrug of the substituted dihydro- or tetrahydro-beta-carboline. The composition may further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound according to formula (II) or (III) to a subject in need thereof,                    
       wherein Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C 1-6  alkoxy, benzyloxy, C 1-6  acyloxy, amino, C 1-6  alkyl, C 1-6  dialkylamino, halogen, and carboxy, and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, and R is                    
       and wherein the cancer cell is one selected from breast cancer cell, colon cancer cell, leukaemia cancer cell, liver cancer cell, lung cancer cell, lymphoma, and prostate cancer cell. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is in a composition comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
       3. A composition comprising a compound according to formula (II) or(III), or a salt or a prodrug thereof,                    
       wherein Y is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, C 1-6  alkoxy, benzyloxy, C 1-6  acyloxy, amino, C 1-6  alkyl, C 1-6  dialkylamino, halogen, and carboxy, and n is 0, and R is                    
     
     
       4. The composition of  claim 3 , further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
       5. The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the compound is in a form of the salt or the prodrug. 
     
     
       6. The composition of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.